2027 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Virginia
[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family, consumer & human sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
For return on investment in family, consumer & human sciences, no school beat Patrick Henry Community College this year. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Students borrow a median of $11,235 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $16,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Shore Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Eastern Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melfa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,418 ten years after entry.
A rank of #3 makes Paul D Camp Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $11,074. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Paul D Camp Community College earn a median of $40,070 early in their careers. Set against $11,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $16,131. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Western Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $21,057 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College came in at #6 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $41,880. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #8 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $19,582. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $46,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College landed the #11 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $44,922. That is a strong return on a $9,494 median debt.
New River Community College placed #12 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $46,892. Set against $13,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,342 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $25,890. That is a strong return on a $16,342 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #15 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College placed #16 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $13,638. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $22,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #17 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. That is a strong return on a $11,768 median debt.
George Mason University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $24,300. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $45,140. That is a strong return on a $24,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Virginia State University came in at #19 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $29,500. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #20 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $19,500. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $34,533 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Southern Virginia University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buena Vista. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,030. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $22,024. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
James Madison University earned the #22 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $24,860. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #23 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,010 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $32,927. That is a strong return on a $22,010 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Liberty University placed #24 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $23,078. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $31,253. Set against $23,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
More Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
